Re: News
Henry and Lehmann to miss Champions League qualifier
By Richard Clarke
Thierry Henry and Jens Lehmann will not play in the Champions League qualifying round first leg tie next week.
Both players were involved in the latter stages of the World Cup and therefore neither has returned to pre-season training yet. Arsène Wenger does not have the option of playing his No 1 choice keeper after his dismissal in the Champions League Final and, speaking after the 8-1 win at Schwadorf, he revealed that Henry would not be risked.
Jens is suspended and Thierry will be short as well, said Wenger. He comes back on August 2 so it is very short until August 9.
The remainder of the first-team squad have just returned from seven days at an Austrian training camp. They ended their excursion by winning 8-1 at Schwadorf on Monday night. Wenger admitted that the squad who travel to play Zagreb or Ekranas would be basically the one which beat the Austrian division three outfit. However there were two omissions from that game. One is likely to be fit for the qualifier, the others fitness is a little further behind.
Tomas Rosicky is OK, said Wenger. Theo Walcott is a bit short. He has had a virus so he has not practised well. Hell be fine in two weeks but I may give him a run out on Friday [at Alkmaar]. I dont know yet it depends.
He was down physically and we have had to build him up. The fittest players will play [in the qualifier] whether it means Walcott or not I dont know yet.